Tear-gas billy



Aug. 11, 1936. K p, ROLSTON 2,050,861

TEAR GAS BILLY Filed Nov. 25, 1934 7 sheets-sheet 2 VIIIIIIIIIII I '5C 3 ,aca 15e f l INVENI'OR ug. ll, 1936. K, 1:- ROLSTON 2,050,861

TEAR GAS BILLY Filed Nov. 25, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 l0 44c llm 'C 2 INVENTOR Aug. ll, 1936. K. P. RoLsToN 2,050,861

` TEAR GAS BILLY Filed Nov. 25, i934 7 sheets-sheet 4 SAFTY ITION 2 2 0F' TRIGGER *1% INVENTOR fg. 11, 1936. l K, p. RQLSTQN 2,050,861

TEAR GAS BILLY Filed NOV. 25, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 El 400e( 40ct 400e @.27 tja INVENTOR 30 gigi/@53% Aug. 11, 1936. K RQLSTQN 2,050,861

TEAR GAS BILLY Filed Nov. 23, 1954 sheets-sheet e 17 15e zoa z3 ,q ,5a

. INVENTOR M 10 Ma Aug. 1l, 1936. Kl p, ROLSTON 2,050,861

TEAR GAS B ILLY Patented ug. 9V3

:torinesi TEAR-cas BILLY Kenneth P. Rolston, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Screw Machine Specialty Company, a corporation of Delaware Application November 23, 1934, seria1N0.'z54,497

. Myl invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to so-called chemical firearms, firearmsA which discharge ilares, tear-gas, sickening A gas, and the like. Essentially a weapon of this sort comprises a barrel, and mechanism for firing a. cartridge in the barrel. The structure of the invention is particularly adapted for tear-gas btilliesand in such embodiment I shall describe 1 1.0 In a tear-gas billy or bludgeon, the club portion orhead of the weapon is hollow and provides the firing barrel. The handle of the billy includes the cartridge-ring mechanism, and the barrel is movable relatively to the handle, to admit of breech-loading. Y

The object of my invention is to provide improved ring mechanism-mechanism which is controlled by a trigger, and which is particularly effective for operation in a narrow and relatively elongate chamber within the handle of a tear-gas billy.

A further object is to provide a firing mechanismwhich is economical to construct, and which may be readily assembled in the body of the billy.

` And Vl2 seek to `provide a mechanism which is sturdy, and durable in service, and which is adequately safeguarded against accidental discharging operation.

In the several types of tear-gas billies now in common use, I have found that it is possible for an adversary of the user to grasp the head of the billy and to remove the barrel portion from the handle, whereby the weapon is rendered ineffective. A further object of my invention is to provide a tear-gas billy which in hand-to-'hand encounter may be readily retained under the control of the user. Still other objects will be apparent in the ensuing specication. l "In theaccompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a view innside elevation of a tear-gas billy embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view to larger scale, showing the medial body portions, and internal structure, of the billy in longitudinal section; Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive, are fragmentary views of the iiring mechanism in axial section, and illustrating successive operating positions oi the parts; Fig. '7 is a view in axial section of the breech-block of the billy, and Fig. 8 is afragmentary view in side elevation of the barrel portion which is assembled with the breech-block;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of the mouth of the breechblock, and Fig. l0 is a sectional View thereof, taken on the plane X--X, Fig. '7; Figs. 11 to 13 are fragmentary sectional views, illustrating the operation of particular locking means while the barrel and breech-block are being assembled; Figs. 14 and 15 are skeleton views, indicating how the trigger of the weapon is utilized in safety position, to release the locking means; Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view, showing in side elevation the 5 members of the firing mechanism which cooperate immediately with the trigger, and Fig. 17 is a view in section of the same, taken on the plane XVII-XVII, Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is an exploded view, illustrating partly in side elevation and partl0 ly in section the breech-block and the body members of the billy that in assembly are integrated therewith; Fig. 19 is a fragmentary view, showing in side elevation the handle casing and the trigger slot provided therein; Fig. 20 is a View in side l5 elevation, illustrating how the ring mechanism is assembled as a unit with the handle casing; Fig. 21 illustrates fragmentarily the barrel portion, including a cartridge, in course of assembly with the handle of the billy; Fig. 22 is a per-V 20 spective view of the billy in the right hand of the user, and illustrating how the barrel portion, grasped in the hand of an adversary, is freely rotatable relatively to the stock; Fig. 23 is a view in end elevation of the barrel, showing a modiii- 25 cation in the means for locking it to the breechblock, and Fig. 24 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 25 is a sectional view of the modied breechblock, and Fig. 26 is an end elevation of the same; Fig. 27 is a fragmentary view, showing in side 30 elevation the modified locking member, and Figs. 28 and 29 are end elevations of the same in alternate positions of adjustment; Fig. 30 is a sectional view of the breech-block, illustrating still another modiiication in the locking means, and Fig, 35 31 is a view in end elevation of the same; Fig. 32 is a detailed view, illustrating the breech-block fragmentarily and showing the locking member of the last-mentioned locking means in end elevation; Fig. 33 is a view partly in side elevation 40 and partly in vertical section, showing in detail the firing-pin and release arm of the firing mechanism, and Fig. 34 is a similar view, showing additionally, however, the means for swinging the arm into release position; Fig. 35 is a sec- 45 tional view, comparable with Fig. 3, and illustrating certain modiiications in the ring mechanism; Fig. 36 is a sectional view of the same, taken on the plane XXXVI- XXXVI of Fig. 35, and Fig. 37 is a view similar to Fig. 36, showing 50 the parts in alternate positions; and Fig. 38 is a longitudinal, central sectional view of the billy handle or stock, embodying the modied firing mechanism, and showing still other modifications.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the billy comprises 55 grip in the hand of the user.

a handle A and ahead B. The head B comprises Ya metal barrelV I covered .With a leather facing 2, and the handle A comprises a metal 3 which the control of'a'trigger 5 for ring the cartridge.

Ywith Y Y assembly is secured in the .charrliberr dof (Figi, 7

The barrel I in this case r`is removed from assembly ,for loading, and

VVA breech-block 4 isfsecured by threads I to the casing 3, Y'and' a Yset--screw L locks the parts against relative rotation. The integrated breeclr-` blockand casing form the stock of the rearm. ',The. breech-end of the barrel I is provided an oilset,.cylindrical portion li which .in

of the breech-block.

Fig. 2l indicates a tear-gas vcart-ridge C being inserted. The cartridge is thrust inward` of the Y `assembled with the stock.

"barrel to suchl position that its rim c abuts" the endl-Id of barrel portion l I1. Thenfthe barrel is YIt. is desirable thatV removal of the barrell shall be impossiblev when the weapon is ready Yfor il'ring.` OnV the other-hand", it i's desirable that Y the barrel may be readily-removable for load'- i ing.' VWith these desiderata inrnind', it' will be perceived that Ih'ave provided. particularly efffect-ive means for securing' the barrel in assembiy. 'with the stock.

.Q-Suchmeans comprise aV locking ringV EtinV the chamber la of vthe breech-block; a shoulder 9a in th-'ebody of the breech-block anda Yk'eeperri'ng V9,1'i'xed to the block by screws 9b, serve tosecure the locking ring 8 axially between them; the

forward edgea ofthe ring 8` is cliainfer'e'd, Yas

' shown in Fig. '7;V and a compression spring. 18.,

. With the ring removal. Vbarrel portion I'I! lies anfinterval clI (Fig. 2) from bearing upon theside of the ring 8, urges it into Y -a PUSin of eccentricity with respect toY chamothera (See-Fiss. 9 and 1o),

The springk Iilis introduced` to the assembly through a passage-:wa inthebreech-block, which passage is .normally Vclosed by Aar-plug'ljb. 'An'annul'ar groove lIfZ is provided in the portion II. Vof the. barrel I, barrel I with the ingV engagement. .When makingesuch "assembly, the portion iii of the bfarrel is thrustfaXiall-yinto. the breech-'block "(s'ee' Figs. 7 and-*85). Upon Y ventenne the breech-bleek, the Aend lara of the:

Y ring. (Fig. 1'1), and" forces the ring,

barrel engages the tapered edge 8a of thellocking t against the' resistance of spring l5, into apositionconcentricf with barrelrportion ll, whereby the barrel por# tion may continu-e yinward to the position indi cated in Fig.- 12,.V vIt will-be observed* that the barrel portion I i. i- `formed With a shoulder lilc', complementary in form with 'the forward edge .Alcf .ofr the breech.-block. "The proportionsof the parts are such-"that vthe groove li'b is. aligned when theshoulder I lic abufts the edge -Llc, wherebypunder the vinfluence'of spring.- lmthe ring Vmoves eccentrcally into the'groove'. Throughout(substantially Vonehalffof its circular extent (Figs. 9 and 10)V the ring lies in engage.- mentf .with the 'gfroveg'l'ocki'ng thef barrel? against In suchassembly the endY Ha of the th'eren'd wall `1ib of the breech-block', and :thus

'i provides clearance'ior the rim lc (Fig. y3).: of the? cartridge. n

posiadmits. for

dering imparts 'ini assenti the 'rotation of the` barrel If relatively-- ft'othe `1nstrumentality by means of which the barrel is released. Accordingly, when the weapon is in the handand ready for firing, it is impossible to 'removethelbarrelL Fig. 22 shows the weapon in the hand Hof the user. If an adversary at close quarters grasps the barrel I (see hand h), hel'cannot, by twisting or pulling, Vremove the barrel from VAthe weapon. The barrel rotates freely in the adversarys grasp, but remains lockedin assembly with the handle-heldin the users hand-H. Furthermore, it is substantially impossible for the adversary so to. twis't Vthe Weapon as to turn the trigger fromifts position beneath thefring finger 'of the user.

The casing 3 includes a trigger 'slot ifi-.Which eX- tends through the, forward edge 3aof the casing. The edge 3a of theA casingis tapered-and -th breech-block 4 includes a correspondingly tapered shoulder 3o which tightly engages *the edge 3a; and reinforces it against such-weakness as the slot 6. may occasion. Referring t'oF'ig; 2, it ,will be seen :thatithe br'eech-blo'clr'is provided with a. slot 5awhic'h is Valigned;withL-,the 'slot 6; The face of the locking ring 8 is accessible within the slot 6a, at a. point 'diametricalrlly opposite to the point at which the spring lt iseffective upon the ring.`

In safety position thea distal end-5b of lth'e trigger liesadjacent that portion Aof the locking ring il which is exposed in the slot a-notetlie' dotted. lines 5a in Figs. 2 and 10, 'and-the frull lines4 5 in Fig. 14. While the tri'ggerl i's;in' safety position,v itk mayY beV pressed inward 'of' the stockV 3, 4 in 'such manner that its distal' end 5b. is brought to bear against theY locking ring 8i. Further-fini Ward pressing Vof the trigger is effectiveltoshift the locking ring 8 to concentric position, relative'- ly to the barrel portion I;I.= (Fig.V l5), whereby the ring is disengagedfrom the gr" oveY ilfb, and the barrel I is` released' for removal'. 4 In Figs. 23i to"31,.I illustrate modied means for locking the barrel I in'asseinbl'y wit block. The breechendofth'e barrel. is provided jacent. toand integratedwith the threaded por# tion I'l is aratchet portionV 'I'IOay and in the breech-block f a cooperatingv pawl .isV provided.' The paw] comprises a cylindrical' body'b (Fig. 27) from which a straightspringrwre l'ciradal`` ly projects; `to opposite sides of theispring wire, the body of the pawl includes. .two `semicylindrical projections or arms 40M and 400e, and-'suchfsemi cylindrical arms lie one above: and the other be# low the horizontal raxis oi''rthe'Y pawl, asshownzin Fig. 27. The breech-block lliifis provided' withAa cylindrical bore 460] (Fig. 25') in wlnchthe'pavvl is secured, by the-engagement ofthe 'springlwire 48de inY a 'h'ole 401m, "formed in theA body of" the block. The arm loile'of the pawl 'extendsJinto the 'charn'berf of the vbreech-block, fand-that arn'iV ter-rotation is positively prevented. Thus,

` will be considered in detail.

engages and moves (during barrel-assembling rotation) across the inclined face f of the arm 400e, the pawl is turned axially, exing the spring 400e, as indicated in Fig. 28. As each tooth passes from engagement with face j, the spring instantly restores the pawl to its normal position (Fig.

29), in'vvhicEhY position thei'higher edge f"V of the face ;f so engages the adjacent tooth t that counduring the barrel-assembling rotation, the teeth of ratchet portion II9a pass successively across the face ,f of arm 409e, and cause the pawl axially to oscillate. When, however, barrel-removing rotation is attempted, the pawl manifestly operates as a lock.

, In order to release the barrel for removal, it is essential that the pawl Vbe held in the release position shown in Fig. 28. It will be understood that the face f of pawl arm 4Il9d normally lies inclined to the flat end 5c of the trigger in safety position (see Fig. 29). By pressing the trigger inward of the slot 6, the edge 5c is brought to bear forcefully against the pawl face f', with the consequence and effect that the pawl is turned axially until its face f lies flat against the end ofthe trigger. Thus, the arm 400e of the pawl is angularly shifted into release position, and in such position it remains, so long as the trigger is held depressed, to admit of the removal of barrel I. Y

, Figs. 30 to `32 illustrate a resilient detent 500, providing still another modification in the locking means. The detent is shown as comprising a flat leaf spring secured, say by means of a screw 500D, in a recess 50M in the body of the breech-block; the end 500e of the leaf spring projects into the chamber (4001i) of the breech-block, and is longitudinally inclined, as shown in Fig. 30. The end 500e ofthe spring is adapted yieldingly to engage the teeth t of the barrel portion IIUa; and such yielding end of the spring is transversely inclined in the manner indicated in Figs. 31 and 32. Manifestly, the spring detent readily admits of the barrel-assembling rotation of the parts (cf. the arrow in Fig. 32), but prevents counter-rotation.

Again, I provide means responsive to the trigger in safety position for releasing the locking device. And in this case such means comprise a ring 50nd which is housed in the breech-block and bears peripherally against the inner face of the `leaf spring. The ring 50M is movable eccentrically of the breech-block, and is responsive to pressure applied by the distal end 5b of the trigger, to ex the detent 500 outward, and free of the teeth t, see dotted line position in Fig. 32. Accordingly, upon depressing the trigger in safety position,` the barrel I may be removed from the breech-block.

Turning again to Fig. 2, the ring mechanism Within the casing 3 is a sleeve I2. A compression spring I3 backs the sleeve, and normally urges it forward. Within the sleeve I2 a trigger carriage I4 is slideably organized, and the trigger carriage in this case is an.` integral,` 'substantially cylindrical body of metal. The carriage I4 includes a central bore in which a firing-pin is reciprocable; the firingpin comprises an elongate, cylindrical stem portion I5a, a relatively short primer portion I5b of 5 relatively small diameter, and a cylindrical socket portion I5c of relatively large diameter; and the bore of the carriage comprises two regions IGa and Iie of unequal diameters, toaccommodate the firing-pin portions I5a and I5c, respectively. 1,0 A trip-block I8 is provided in the casing 3, and, as shown in Fig. 5, the firing-pin and trip-block include, sockets I5cf and I8a, respectively, in which the opposite ends of a helical spring II are seated.

It will be observedthat the trip-block includes a 15 flange IBb, against which the` spring I3 bears; the flange is backed by a handle knob/giron the casing, and thus the trip-block affords backing for the two springs I3 and I1.

The trigger carriage I4 includes an elongate 2o slot or recess I9, in which a latch-arm 2U is swingably secured (adjacent its forward end) upon a ,pin 2|; the pin 2| extends transversely of the carriage, and the arm is provided with a latch element 20a adapted to engage a shoulder 25 I5d on the firing-pin. An annular groove 22 is formed in the body of the carriage I4 and intersects the slot I9; a coiled, circular spring 23 is arranged in the groove and engages the outer edge of the latch-arm, serving yieldingly to hold the latch arm 20 against the shoulder on the firing.-

p1n.- i

The carriage I4 is provided with a nose portion Illa, and such nose portion, together with the body of the carriage rearward thereof, includes 3.5 a slot 24 in which the trigger 5 is swingably secured upon a pin 25. Between the carriage I4 and the breech-block 4 is an intermediate block 26, carrying a push-button 21 which, under the outward urging of a spring 28, projects into an orifice 21a in the casing 3 (cf. Fig. 2). The block 26 .is recessed at 26a, to receive the nose portion I4a`of the trigger carriage, and is longitudinally slotted or. recessed, as shown at 24a. The recess 24a is aligned with the slot 24 in the trigger carriage, and in effect comprises a continuation of the slot 24 in which the trigger 5 is swingably secured. The intermediate block 26 and the breech-block 4 are centrally bored for the passage through of the firing-pin; the bore 26e in the Vintermediate block is larger in diameter than the stem portion I5a of the ring-pin, while the bore a. of the breech-block is relatively small, affording passage for the primer portion I5b only of the firing-pin.

A pin 29 is carried by the trigger 5, and is located eccentrically of the axis (25) about which the trigger is swingably secured to the carriage I4. The pin 29 projects rigidly from the opposite sides of the trigger, and normally abuts the rear 60 face 2Gb of the intermediate block, at points on opposite sides of the slot 24a. It will be observed that, as the trigger is swung into safety position (see arrowra in Fig. 2), the pin 29 acts as a fulcrum against the face 26h of the stationary block 65 26, whereby the carriage I4 (due to the swing of the pin 25 about the fulcrum) is moved in the direction of the arrow b. Due to the engagement (I5d, 29a) of the latch-arm 20 with the firing-pin, the firing-pin moves with the carriage I4 during 70 such swinging of the trigger, and in consequence the spring I1 is compressed. As the trigger enters safety position (see Fig. 3), the firing-pin reaches such retracted position that its primer tip I5b lies an interval s within the bore 40a of the 75 26 `is introduced to arm20 is moved to the right` along the side of they then stationary firing-pin |5. 'Ihe tip of the latch-element 20a slides along the side of the firing-pin portion |c, and, as the carriage `reaches its normal position (Fig. 4), the latchelement engages the shoulder |5d of the firingpin. The firing mechanism is thus restored to its normal position, vready for another firing operation.

It will be understood that my trigger mechanismis particularly designed for service in the elongate and relatively small bore of a billy handle.` It is further-characteristic of my meehanism` that itis adapted for ready assembly with the billy. 1 In making such assembly, the tripblockIS, springs I3, I1, firing-pin I5, trigger carriage I4, trigger 5, and sleeve |`2 are first brought together in their proper relative positions (Fig. 5) and then are introduced as a unit into the `forward end of the casing 3. The slot 6, openingthrough the` edge 3a of the casing 3, receives the trigger 5, whereby the Vwhole trigger mechanism may be slid into place, as indicated by the arrowin Fig-20. Next, the intermediate block the casing 3; this is readily accomplished by depressing the push-button 21, and inserting the block in the forward end of the casing, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 18; the wall of the` casing holds the push-button 21 depressed until it comes to registry with the orice 21a, whereupon the spring 28 forces the pushbutton outward into such orice. The engagement of the'A push-button in the orifice secures the block 26 in the handle casing. Of course, the

breech-blockd is then assembled in the manner already described.` v

`It isimportantto note that the sleeve I2 serves as a closure for the slot 6, protecting the mechanismwithin the casing from dust and dirt. AS the trigger slides along theslot, the sleeve I2 moves with it, and normally covers that portion 55 l I3 .bears directly against the trigger carriage I4, instead `of against the sleeve, the operation of i to register with the of the slotwhich is not closed by the body of the trigger itself.

Alternately, the slot-protecting sleeve may be rotatablyorganized in fixed axial position Within the casing 3, and in Figs. 35 to 38 such organization of a sleeve is illustrated. The sleeve |20 includes a tongue |2| to which a button |22 is secured; the casing 3 is provided with a circumferentially extending slot I 23, and through this slot the button |22 projects.

Save `as hereinafter vmentioned, ,the firing mechanism` organized within the sleeve |20 is substantially identical with the firinglmechanism' already described..` While in this case the spring the mechanism in firing a cartridge is essentially the operation which has been explained above.

, 1As appears in Figs. 36 and 38, the sleeve |20 includes an elongate slot |24 which is adapted slot 6 in casing 3, to provide a way for the linear movement of the trigger 5 in firing position` (see Fig. 38 particularly). A

, torsional spring is secured at its one end to the` tongue. |2| of the sleeve; the opposite end of the` spring is attached to a non-rotatable member, say `thewall of casing 3, or the body of the intermediate block 260; and the tendency of the spring |25' is to turn the sleeve |20 clockwise (Figs. 36 and 37) to such position that me button |22 yieldingly engages the end |2301r of the slot I|23`. Indeed, when Vthe trigger Vis in. safety position (Fig. 35) thebutton is yieldingly aheld in` such position-in the slot |23.` 'Elie corresponding position of the sleeve |20 is such that the slot |24 lies out of such registry with the slot 6 (see Fig. 36), and the edge |201) of the sleeve, adjacent the slot, `engages the notch 5u in the trigger, serving positively to lock the trigger in safety position (Fig.

Maniiestly, when the trigger is in safety position, the sleeve |20 provides the desired protective closure for the slot 6.

To release the trigger from safety position, the button |22 is shifted against the restraint of torsional spring |25; that is, the button is moved from the position shown in Fig. 36 to the position shown in Fig. 37. Accordingly, the sleeve |20 is rotated, bringing the slot |24 intov registry with the slot 5 in the casing 3 (Fig. 38), and removing the edge |2017 of the sleeve from engagement with the notch 511. The trigger swings (about pin 29 as a fulcrum) into firing position. In iiring position the rear edge of the trigger lies within the slot |24, and the sleeve |20 is thereby restrained from turning back into safety position, whenthe lateral pressure on the button |22 is relieved. The trigger in firing position is pulled in the manner already described, to spring 2 the firing-pin and discharge the weapon.

When the trigger is swung from ring position into safety position, the carriage I4 and firingpin I5 move rearwardly, as explained in the firstdescribed structure, and the notch 57i comes into alignment with the edge |20b of sleeve |20. Thereupon, the sleeve turns (clockwise, Fig. 37) under the influence of torsional spring |25, and moves the edge |206 into engagement with the notch' 511., whereby the trigger and ring mechansm are locked in safety position.

Fig. 38 is illustrative of still another modification. The latch-arm 20 may include a tang portion |26, and the sleeve |20 may include a cooperating slot |26a. `The slot I26a is so located relatively to the slot |24 circumferentially of the sleeve that, when the slot |24 registers with the slot 6, and the trigger is in firing position, the slot I26a lies in alignment with the tang |25. Accordingly, when the trigger is pulled and the latch-arm swings outward to release the firingpin, the tang |26 enters the slot |26a. When, however, the trigger is in `safety position, the slot |2611. lies out of alignment with the tang |26. If the latch-arm tends to swing into release position, it is restrained by the engagement of the tang |26 against the internal surface of the sleeve |20. Therefore, so long as the trigger is in safety position, it is absolutely impossible for the latchelement 20a, to move from engagement with the shoulder |5d. Accordingly, the weapon may be used as a bludgeon, and may be subjected to other sorts of rough or violent usage, without danger of accidental discharge.

It will be understood that in all forms of my billy the handle knob K may be removably secured to the casing 3, and may be provided with a hole 7c (Fig. 38). In accordance with usual practice, the ends Vof a leather thong may be passed through the hole lc, and may be knotted and secured within the knob, in such fashion that the main reach of the thong provides without the knob a. wrist strap for the user.

It may also be remarked that the flange |8b of the trip-block may be secured in threaded engagement with the casing 3, as shown in Fig. 38. In position of service the face Id of the ange advantageously lies within the end of the casing, providing a recess I8e which may be filled with lsealing wax, and the sealing wax may be imstock in which said trigger is and in locking engagement with said groove; firing mechanism in said stock, a trigger for operating said mechanism, said trigger being movable between safety and firing positions, means for staying said trigger in safety position, said trigger being movable while stayed in such safety position for shifting said ring eccentrically and in opposition to said spring.

13. Aiirearm including a barrel, a stock, and firing mechanism including a trigger, a carriage movable in said stock in response to the firing operation of said trigger, a ring-pin, a latcharm normally engaging said firing-pin, means for effecting the disengagement of said latcharm from said firing-pin, and an element movable between alternate positions in said stock, in one of said positions said element providing positive restraint against the movement of said latch-arm from engagement with said firing-pin.

14. `A rearm including a barrel, a stock, and ring mechanism including a trigger, a carriage movable in said stock in response to the firing operation of said trigger, a firing-pin, a latch-arm normally engaging said ring-pin, means for effecting the disengagement of said latch-arm from said firing-pin, an element including a clearance for the latch-arm to move from engagement with said firing-pin, said element being movable between alternate positions in said stock, whereby said clearance may be adjusted in and out of registry with said latch-arm.

15. A firearm including a barrel, a stock, and ring mechanism including a trigger, a carriage movable in said stock in response to the firing operation of said trigger, a firing-pin, a latcharm normally engaging said firing-pin, means for effecting the disengagement of said latcharm from said firing-pin, said stock including a slot in which said trigger is movable, and an element adjustable in said stock alternately to cover and uncover said slot.

16. A firearm including a barrel, a stock, and firing mechanism including a trigger, a carriage movable in said stock in response to the ring operation of said trigger, a firing-pin, a latcharm normally engaging said firing-pin, means for eiecting the disengagement of said latcharm from said firing-pin, said trigger being adjustable between safety and firing positions, a slot in said vstock in which said trigger is movable, an element movable in said stock alternately to cover and uncover said slot, said element in slot-covering position providing means for positively locking said trigger in safety posi- 17. A firearm including a barrel, a stock, and ring mechanism including a trigger, a carriage movable in said stock in response to the firing operation of said trigger, a firing-pin, a latcharm normally engaging said firing-pin, means for eiecting from said firing-pin, between safety and firing positions, a slot in said movable, an element movable in said stock alternately to cover and uncover said slot, said element in slot-covering position providing means for positively locking said trigger in safety position, said element further comprising means for positively securing said latch-arm in engagement ing-pin while it (said element) is in covering position.

, 18. A firearm including a barrel and a tubuwith said rsaid slotlar body portion secured to said barrel, firing mechanism, said mechanism including a trigger, a spring, and a member movable (in response to the ring operation of said trigger) axially of said tubular body portion against the resistance of said spring, a iiring-pin movable axially of said member, a substantially rigid latch pivotally mounted on said member for uniting said firing-pin with said member for common movement against the resistance of said spring, and means adapted during the spring-resisted movement of said member to engage said latch at a point spaced from its pivotal mounting and to effect the movement of the latch from engagement with the firing pin, whereby said firing-pin is released from union with said member.

19. A firearm including a body portion, mechanism in said body portion, said mechanism comprising a spring, a member movable against the resistance of said spring, a firing-pin, a pivotally mounted, substantially rigid latch for uniting said rng-pin with said member during such movement against the resistance of said spring,

and means adapted, during the spring-resisted movement of said member, to engage said latch o at a point spaced from its pivotal mounting and to eiect the swing of said latch to release said firing-pin from its union with said member, said latch comprising an arm pivotally secured to said movable member, and said latch-releasing means comprising a stationary cam adjustably secured in said body portion.

20. A rearm including a barrel, a stock, and cartridge-firing mechanism including a carriage movable within the stock, a spring normally tending to move Said carriage forward in said stock, a trigger pivotally mounted on said carriage, an abutment in said stock, said trigger including an element located eccentrically of its pivotal mounting, and said eccentric element normally engaging said abutment and resisting the tendency of said spring to move said carriage forward.

21. A firearm including a barrel, a stock, and cartridge-firing mechanism including a carriage movable within said stock, a spring resisting movement of said carriage in one direction, a trigger pivotally mounted on said carriage, an abutment in said stock, oir-center means carried by said trigger and normally resting against said abutment, said pivotally mounted trigger being adapted to swing about said abutment as a fulcrum, whereby to shift said carriage into safety position.

22. Firing mechanism for firearms including a trigger, a carriage movable in response to the ring operation of said trigger, a firing-pin including a shoulder, means carried by said carriage and normally engaging the shoulder on said ring-pin, whereby the carriage and firing-pin are united for common movement during the ring operation of said trigger, means operable during the iiring operation of said trigger for moving said shoulder-engaging means into firing-pin releasing position, and safety means adapted positively to engage said shoulder-engaging means to prevent accidental disengagement of such means from the shoulder of said firing-pin, said safety means being movable into release position to admit of the movement of said shoulder-engaging means into said firing-pin releasing position.

KENNETH P. ROLSTON. 

